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━━━━ ༻ ✰ ༺ ━━━━
The pungent smell of dust and ageing stone, which wafted throughout the castle, was masked by the tangy scent of the lake we had just sailed across. The high ceilings and spacious interior resulted in the footsteps of us first years echoing down the long hallways. If the school didn't know already, they knew now of our presence in the threshold. And if not because of our thundering footsteps, it was due to the ear-splitting squeals of a large group of girls. I could even see the look of discomfort on Professor McGonagall's face as she led us out of the Chamber of Reception and through the castle.
I was then approached from behind by a boy, a red-headed boy to be exact, his chestnut orbs gazing into my own. He gave me a warm genuine smile, confidence radiating off of him as if it were a scent.
The ginger held out his hand, "Hi, I'm Fred. Fred Weasley."
I returned his kind gesture, "Oh, hello. I'm Josephine Ollivander, but you can call me Josie." Fred's grip on my hand remained for several moments even after his greeting and I couldn't shake the feeling; it was... comfort.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later," his eyes lingered on me as he walked away, leaving me with one last smile. But this smile was different, it wasn't the kind, genuine one he gave me only moments ago. This time it was mischievous.
Being at Hogwarts was a whole new level of excitement that none of us had ever felt before. The only word to describe the castle was magical. Everything here was literally magical. We were led through a tall and extravagant arch, leading into an intimidatingly large hall with four dark oak tables and benches that stretched across the length of the room, occupied with all the students. It was beautiful. From the dimly lit candlelight that hung from the ceiling to the captivating illusion of the night sky seen above.
My fellow grade and I were ushered to the front of the hall by Professor McGonagall to wait patiently for our next instructions. We stood facing another long surface, this one positioned horizontally across the platform and filled with the intimidating stares of Hogwarts staff. In the centre of the table sat a large throne-like chair, which I could only assume belonged to the brilliant headmaster as he was seated in it quite graciously. And lastly, there was a small wooden stool that was centred near the edge of the platform, an old and battered hat seated on top of it.
"Can you wait along here please?" McGonagall stood beside the stool and swayed her hand as she referred to the two steps that led up to the stage like section of the grand hall. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
The frail looking wizard, who can be unmistakably recognised as the legendary Albus Dumbledore, rose from his throne. "I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."
